President William Ruto on Saturday morning presided over swearing on new Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officials who were promoted this week.

Major General Charles Muriu Kahariri was sworn in as the new KDF Vice Chief, and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

He is taking over from Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi Maina who retired after serving for 42 years.

Commander in chief President Ruto also witnessed swearing in of Major General David Kimaiyo Tarus who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Tarus also landed an appointment as the new Commander Kenya Arm. He previously served in the same office as a deputy.

His predecessor Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo Njiru went into retirement after being in service for 39 years.

The Saturday morning ceremony also saw Major General Jimson Longiro take oath of office as the new Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University – Kenya.

Longiro was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. He previously served as the Commander Kenya Navy.

Ruto also promoted Brigadier Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a to the rank of Major General and appointed him as the new Kenya Commander Navy. He was serving as Base Commander at Kenya Navy Base Manda.

Other officers promoted as per Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s recommendations are; Major General Juma Shee Mwinyikai (Commandant National Defence College), Major General Mohamed Nur Hassan (Deputy Army Commander- Kenya Army headquarters), Brigadier Luka Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu (Commandant Military Academy).

Major General John Maison Nkoimo will now be heading the Border Security Command as the General Officer Commanding.

Brigadier Peter Shikuku Chelimo will serve as the Deputy Navy Commander Kenya Navy.

Meanwhile, some of the retired officials landed ambassadorial jobs in President Ruto’s latest appointments.

Retired Vice Chief of the defense forces Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi Maina was posted as the new envoy to war-torn Tehran, Iran.